Dealing (slap) with a pest (swat) of summer (whap)

Published: Friday, July 11, 2014 at 03:38 PM.

Mosquitoes might not be the primary summer pest. After all, for many, no amount of persuading can convince them that snakes aren’t Public Enemy No. 1.

That said, mosquitoes are probably in the top five. No question about it. Cutting the grass, walking the dog or playing at the park can be fraught with inconvenience and discomfort because of the countless biting insects.

In recent years, the nuisance has taken on an even more threatening nature as diseases such as the West Nile virus, which can be debilitating or even deadly, have seen periodic rises in activity.

Now, there is yet another reason to want to stay inside.

Chikungunya sounds nasty, and it is. It is a mosquito-borne virus that has spread through the Caribbean Islands since last year. There’s even been a documented case here in Alamance County where a traveler brought it back home. Thankfully, it was in a period where the disease couldn’t spread.

But it could be just a matter of time, though, until this virus is carried by mosquitoes in the Southeast

Unlike West Nile, Chikungunya mainly causes discomfort in the joints, a symptom that can last for months once the virus is contracted.

The main thing to remember with this latest risk is that you can limit your exposure by limiting your exposure to mosquitoes, something we should all do to remain healthy.

First remember, that mosquitoes are like basketball superstar LeBron James. Like James, they can’t be stopped. We can only hope to slow them down.

On page B1 today the Times-News offers tips for handling mosquitoes and other summertime pests or varmints. In warm weather, animals ramble. By the way, hear about the raccoon exploring Burlington Athletic Stadium during a Royals game last week?

Anyway, here are a few pointers for taking the bite out of those ‘skeeters.

First, limit outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, the times when mosquitoes are most active and most likely to bite.

When outside, wear clothing that will limit the amount of flesh exposed to the biting, disease-carrying bugs.

Finally, tidy up around the outside of your home. Anywhere that standing water can collect is a potential breeding site for the mosquitoes. Turn over anything that might collect rainwater and get rid of junk that can turn into more than just an eyesore. It can become a public hazard.

Mosquitoes are one small nuisance that makes living in North Carolina slightly less pleasant. But they also represent real health risks. Those risks, though, can be managed by some simple steps that will leave us all better off.

Now that the weather has warmed up and we are spending more time outside — stay comfortable ... and healthy.

Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published
without permission. Links are encouraged.

Mosquitoes might not be the primary summer pest. After all, for many, no amount of persuading can convince them that snakes aren’t Public Enemy No. 1.

That said, mosquitoes are probably in the top five. No question about it. Cutting the grass, walking the dog or playing at the park can be fraught with inconvenience and discomfort because of the countless biting insects.

In recent years, the nuisance has taken on an even more threatening nature as diseases such as the West Nile virus, which can be debilitating or even deadly, have seen periodic rises in activity.

Now, there is yet another reason to want to stay inside.

Chikungunya sounds nasty, and it is. It is a mosquito-borne virus that has spread through the Caribbean Islands since last year. There’s even been a documented case here in Alamance County where a traveler brought it back home. Thankfully, it was in a period where the disease couldn’t spread.

But it could be just a matter of time, though, until this virus is carried by mosquitoes in the Southeast

Unlike West Nile, Chikungunya mainly causes discomfort in the joints, a symptom that can last for months once the virus is contracted.

The main thing to remember with this latest risk is that you can limit your exposure by limiting your exposure to mosquitoes, something we should all do to remain healthy.

First remember, that mosquitoes are like basketball superstar LeBron James. Like James, they can’t be stopped. We can only hope to slow them down.

On page B1 today the Times-News offers tips for handling mosquitoes and other summertime pests or varmints. In warm weather, animals ramble. By the way, hear about the raccoon exploring Burlington Athletic Stadium during a Royals game last week?

Anyway, here are a few pointers for taking the bite out of those ‘skeeters.

First, limit outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, the times when mosquitoes are most active and most likely to bite.

When outside, wear clothing that will limit the amount of flesh exposed to the biting, disease-carrying bugs.

Finally, tidy up around the outside of your home. Anywhere that standing water can collect is a potential breeding site for the mosquitoes. Turn over anything that might collect rainwater and get rid of junk that can turn into more than just an eyesore. It can become a public hazard.

Mosquitoes are one small nuisance that makes living in North Carolina slightly less pleasant. But they also represent real health risks. Those risks, though, can be managed by some simple steps that will leave us all better off.

Now that the weather has warmed up and we are spending more time outside — stay comfortable ... and healthy.